Horse-hitching device



(No Model.) 4 Sheets-Sheet 11.

L. HOUSE HORSE HITOHING DEVICE.

No. 488,475. Patented Bed. 2.0, 1892.

I Y :EL 2

WITNESSES [/VVEJVI'OZ? (No Model.) 4 Sheets-Sheet :2.

L. HOUSE. HORSE HITGHING 'DEVIOE.

No. 488,475. Patented Dec. 20, 1892.

WITNESSES:

INVENTOH Z 17W W W W BY A f I MA TTQHNEY.

(No Model.) 4 Sheets-Sheet 3.

' L. HOUSE.

HORSE HITOHING DEVICE.

No. 488,475. Patented Dec. 20, 1892 WITNESSES .71 Zlorney m: uumzisPETERS c0 mum-urns" wnsnmcn'on. n, c.

(No Model.) 4 Sheets-Sheet 4.,

L. HOUSE. HORSE HITOHING DEVICE.

No. 488,475. Patented Dec. 20, 1892.

Nrrno TATES ATFNT prion.

LOUIS HOUSE, OF SYRACUSE, NEW YORK.

HORSE-HITCHING DEVICE.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 488,475, dated December20, 1892.

Application filed January 9, 1892- Serial No. 417,568. (No model.)

To (all whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, LOUIS HOUSE, a citizen of the United States,residing at Syracuse, in the county of Onondaga and State of New York,have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Horse [-Iitchingand Checking Devices; and I do hereby declare the following to be afull, clear, and exact description of the invention, such as will enableothers skilled in the art to which it appertains to make and use thesame, reference being had to the accompanying drawings, in Which- Figure1, is a front side View of a portion of a vehicle axle (and wheel hub)with my device attached, the clutch proper thereof shown in verticallongitudinal section and the auxiliary mechanism and parts in sideelevation, and representing the appliance in its nongeared position;Fig. 2, a similar view showing it in gear; Fig. 3, aface plan of theouter coupling member of the clutch mechanism as applied to hub ofvehicle wheel; Fig. at, aside detail of same; Fig. 5, a front face planof the inner coupling member of the clutch mechanism erected on thevehicle axle; Fig. 6, a detail of the front side of the aforesaid innercoupling member; Fig. 7, a detail of the rear side thereof; Fig. 8, anelevation of the back face of the inward member of the clutch, asmounted on vehicle axle; Fig. 9, a plan of the front or outward face ofthe inner clutch-member attached to the axle, with portions representedbroken away for illustration of internal parts; Fig. 10, a verticaltransverse section thereof taken on line 00, as, Fig. 1, and lookingtoward the rear face of the spool therein; Fig. 11, a front face plan ofthe inner member of the clutch mechanism, with a portion of the spool,&c, thereof, shown broken away for illustrating internal parts; Fig. 12,a vertical transverse section through the inner member of the clutchmechanism, upon line y, y, Fig. 1, and looking outwardly toward thewheel-hub; Fig. 13, an enlarged conjoint top-plan and horizontallongitudinal section of the major portion of my device, as mounted inplace, with portions of the spool-part, (be, shown broken away toillustrate interior parts; Fig. 14, a detail, (front face,) of thespool-carrier case entering into the formation of the inner member ofthe clutch-portion of my device; Fig. 15, a

detail (front face) of the plate which fits into the large orifice ofthe inner member; Fig. 16, a detail (front face), of the spoolapperraining to the inner clutch-member; Fig. 17, a detail, (frontface,) of the flanged collar utilized in the aforesaid member; Fig. 18,a detail, (front face,) of the buffer-box applied to bottom of the casecontaining the spool, &c; Fig. 19, a top-plan detail of same; and Fig.20, a bottom-plan detail thereof.

Similar letters and figures of reference dc? note corresponding partsthroughoutthe several views.

The object of my invention is, to provide an improved horse-hitching andchecking device to vehicles, so arranged as to enable the occupant of acarriage or wagon to hitch the attached horse or horses directly fromthe vehicle, and arranged that if the horse starts he may be reined upand prevented from running away.

It is constructed as follows: By way of exemplification of theadaptability and application of my appliance to a road vehicle, 1indicates an end-portion of a vehicle axle, (preferably the forward011e,) upon which and the companion axle, (provided with usual wheels,)there obviously is mounted and connected in any ordinary manner avehicle box or body, the axle preferably being metallic, and practicallysquare in cross-section, as indicated, having the customary wooden capor strip secured thereto by clips, and terminating at its extremities ina cylindrical shoulder wherefrom projects a cylindrical spindle whereonthe hub 2, of the vehicle wheel (comprising the hub; spokes, felly andother essentials of a proper wheel) revolves, the butt or innerend and aportion of the nave and spokes of a wheel alone being hereinillustrated.

A, represents my improved horse-hitching and checking mechanism,comprising a clutchportion proper B, consisting of the outer-member O,secured to the inner end of the hub of a vehicle wheel, and theinner-member D, movably mounted on the forward-axle of the vehicle,adjacent to aforesaid wheel-hub,and E, an auxiliary safety-fingercoactive with the inner-member of the -clutch-portion; while F, broadlydesignates the operating mechanism for throwing the clutch-members inand out of gear.

ICO

The innermember D, of the clutch, erected upon a transversely-squareportion of the vehicle-axle, and contiguous to the hub-spindle whereonthe wheel is secured, comprises the following parts: A non-rotatable yetlongitudinally-movable spool-carrier case 3, of cylindrical shape, itstubular body being entirely open at its outward (or front) end a, andclosed at its oppositeinner end byaback wall b, (formed integral withthe tubular portion,) having an orifice 0, preferably semicircular,practically occupying its upper-half portion, and wherein fits and issecured a similar shaped plate 0 closing said orifice, while d, cl,represent square-shaped notches or openings, the former standingperpendicularly into the lower edge of the plate 0', and the latterdownward into the underneath adjacent contacting edge of theback-wallbody,

said notches respectively being of a depth slightly greater than thesemi-thickness vertically of the axle, and in width slightly wider thanthe total transverse thickness of the axle horizontally; said notchesd,d, conjointly creating a rectangular shaped opening 6, of a sizeslightly larger than the diameterof the vehicle axle.

4, is the sectional, non-rotary, sliding hub,

integral with the detachable plate 0, of the back wall and the lowersegmentf, integrally cast with the main body portion of said wallwherewith the cylindrical side 6 is integral; said hub having a centralsquare opening coincident with and a continuation of the opening e, ofthe back wall of the case, and conjointly forming a transversely-squarelongitudinal socket or hold g, for the passage of thattransversely-square portion of the vehicle-axle 1, whereupon said hub ofthe innermember I), of the clutch con struction is mounted, and adaptedto limited movement parallel with the axle of the vehicle.

Inclosing and snugly fitting the periphery of the hub 4, is a collar (orbushing) 5, provided with a peripheral flange h at its front face, theoutward front face of the collar ly ing vertically flush with the frontface of the hub 4, and its rear face abutting again t the back wall I),of the case 3 whereto it is rigidly held by screws (or pins) 11, passingthrough holes 1" in the back wall, the screw-stems being threaded onlyat their extremities where they enter in and engage with the threadedholes 1'. As may be seen, the screw-holes t,

are formed where the circular-inside of the collar 5, and thecircular-outside of the hub 4 come in contact, one longitudinal half ofthe respective holes entering the hub and the other half entering thecollar, said longitudinal horizontal semi-holes orgrooves conjointlyforming the complete screw-holes t", aforementioned, which manner ofperforation, (the screws being inserted,) insures the rigid attachmentof the collar to the non-rotary hub as well as to the back wall of thecase, and, moreover, through the retention of the collar and hubimmovably together, serving to securely hold in place in the orifice cof the back wall I), the inserted plate 0, having the integral segmentalportion f, of the spool-hub. Preferably four screw-holes, two at a side,(as shown,) are utilized for the insertion of the holding-screwsaforementioned.

Mounted upon the periphery of the collar or bushing 5, is the rotatablespool 6, whereon the hitching-line L, leading to the horses bits iswound, said spool, of annular form, circumferentially inclosing thecollar 5, interposed between it and the hub 4:, and loosely lying in thecircular recess or cavity existent between the aforesaid collar and thecylindrical side of the spool-carrier case, the cylindrical inside ofthe spool being provided at its front end with a circumferential groovej, wherein fits the flange h, of the collar 5, said flange holding thespool in position for rotation upon the collar 5, and fully preventingany longitudinal movement of same thereon. The outer front face of thespool 6 stands vertically flush with the front face of the collar andspool-hub. And said collar 5,receiving direct whatever frictional wearmay possibly be caused by continued revolution of the spool obviouslysaves the spool-hub from wear; and, in case the peripheral surface ofthe collar should become excessively worn it is apparent the collar mayreadily be replaced by a new one at a nominal cost.

8, denotes a spring-actuated dog (or pawl) of segmental shapelongitudinally and of suitable dimensions, pivotally erected within asegmental recess 70, entering into the spoolbody at its front face, saidrecess terminating at an end in a cavity portion 7a, the top edge of thefront Wall thereto forming a vertical bearing or support Z, for theshoulder portion Z, of the dog when it is thrown outward for engagementwith the clutch-member on the wheel-hub; the dog being pivoted at itsshoulder portion; and the actuating spring 171, (preferably spiral,)being interposed between the front wall of the cavity 7t and the stemportion m of the dog, as clearlyillustrated in the drawings.

9, is another spring-actuated dog (or pawl), of segmental form edgewiseand vertical with the spool, and which is pivotally disposed within asegmental-shaped recess or slot 41, entering perpendicularly the spoolbody at its edge (or side), and at a brief distance from the dog 8,aforementioned, said dog 9, being fiat transversely and pivoted at anend to the spool-body, its opposite end being adaptedunder certainconditions to drop downward a distance beyond the peripheral edge of thespool and coming in contact with an attachment to the case serve as astop for undesired revolution'of the spool; said dog having centrally aperforation o whereinis seated a spring 0, (preferably spiral) thatabuts against the curved boundary wall 0", of the recess n; said doghaving at the upper part of its non-pivoted end a transverse pin 19 hr.serted therein, its inwardly projecting end entering and passing througha curvilinear slot 19', formed in the spool-body extending through tothe back face thereof, the end of the pin p, extending the depth of theslot.

10, is a circumferential groove entering the periphery of thehitching-line spool, located adjacent to its inner end and slightlybeyond the vertical plane whereat the dogs afore mentioned arestationed, said groove, for the occupancy of the wound hitching-lineextending centrally inward some distance, as shown, leaving an annularwall portion r, at its inner peripheral boundary and in width sufficientto permit of the reception of the coil or coils of the wound line, coilabove coil, within same. 1 a

11, denotes a pocketaperture extending horizontally into the front faceof the linespool at a slight distance from the location of thedog 9, andforwardly thereof in reference to the front side of the spool-case, saidaperture terminating in a contracted portion that incliningly enters theline-groove 10, of the spool, whereby a knot or protuberance beingformed at the rear end of the hitching-line and the line drawn inwardlythrough the aperture into the grooved part of the spool and thence outtoward the front end of the vehicle pole or shafts a distancepredetermined by the length of said line, the knot enters into thepocket-aperture and is tightly held therein by reason of theimpossibility of the knotted end being drawn through the contractedportion of the aperture, whereby a positive and secure fastening for theline-end is insured, however great a strain the line may be subj ectedto.

12, is an elongated opening formed at the lower portion of the frontside (or edge) of the cylindrical case 3, for the passage of thehitching-linefrom the line-spool forwardly to the horses heads, and 13is another elongated opening formed at the lower portion of the rearside (or edge) of the casing 3, which opening is of sufficient width andheight to allow of the free play therein of the pivoted dog.

Centrally secured to the under side of the case 3, is a metallicbuffer-box 14, held in place by screws or other satisfactory fastening,that side of the box facing toward the rear of my hitching mechanismhaving an opening 5 extending from the top edge of the box a distancedownward, and 15, is an inclosed buffer comprising a flat metallic platet, disposed on edge contiguous to the opening aforesaid and of greaterdiameter than the same, and movably fitted in the box, and a cushioningt, of rubber (or other yielding material) interposed between the saidplate and the opposite solid wall of the buffer-box, the function of thebuffer being to serve as a stop 7 for the dog 9, whenever thrown againstthe plate standing before the cushioning, its construction, as isapparent, insuring a positive stop sufficiently yielding to preventundesirable concussion or jar, the plate, as is evident, returninginstantaneously back to the opening after the impact of the dog 9,against the plate, byreason of the recoil of the cushioning through itselasticity. The plate t, has an integral tongue portion i, entering inand movably fitting the contiguous portion of the opening in the casefor the pivoted movement of afore-named dog, and whereby all possiblebearing surface is presented for the contact of the engaging end of thedog therewith.

The open top of the buffer-box readily permits of the insertion of thebuffer in place prior to attachment to the spool-carrier case.

- 16, is the cylindrical chamber lyingin front of the face of thespool-hub, collar and spool, whose boundary circumferentially is thetubular casing, and which chamber portion practically occupies the fronthalf of the inward member D, of the clutch mechanism. The outer-memberO, of the clutch mechanism rigidly secured to the vertical face of theinner or butt-face of the hub of the vehicle-wheel, comprises an annularplate 17, having a circular flange u, fitting closely the periphery ofthe hubs inner end, said plate at its face portion having radiallyprojecting lugs 7, disposed equidistant apart, their faces lying flushwith the face of the body of the plate,

the ends of the lugs in one direction (the forward one), being abrupt asdesignated by the letter 1), and in the opposite (rearward) directionthe ends beveled or inclined as denoted by the letter 1;, said outermember 0, being by preference rigidly attached to the inner face of thewheel-hub by nails to, driven into the hub through holes formed in thelugs of the plate 17.

18, denotes theusual shoulder to the vehicle-axle, 19, an interposedwasher, and 20, the spindle of the axle, whereon and the shoul deraforementioned, the hub 2, of the vehiclewheel revolves.

As indicated, the internal circumference of the cylindrical case 3, ofthe inner clutchmember is such as to permit of the free inclosure of theperiphery of the outer-memher when thrown outward by thelever mechanismF.

G, is the usual axle'cap upon the axle of the vehicle, and H, H, areclips. The clip H, located at an extremity of the axle-cap andcontiguous to the inner clutch-mernber D, has upon its top attachedfirmly thereto (or cast integral therewith) the safety-finger E, whichfinger curving slightly upward from its base portion extendshorizontally and centrally outward and enters the inner clutchmemberthrough the circular orifice 21, formed at the upper portion of theinner or rear face of the case 3; and thence,whenever the innerclutchunember D is thrown backward out of gear with the forward-memberthou the hub, extending into the cavity of the IIO spool wherein liesthe stem portion of the dog (or pawl) 8, by means of the elongatedorifice 22, at the upper portion of the rear or inner face of theline-spool intersecting the line-groove of said spool; said orifices 21and 22 being centrally lineal, and affording unobstructed entrance ofthe safety-finger, which preferably is round in cross-section at itsstraight portion.

J, is a carrying-rod, disposed horizontally beneath the axle 1, andparallel therewith, screwed into or otherwise firmly secured at itsouter forward end to the inner clutchmember D, through secure insertionof its end into a hole extending through the back wall of the case 3 andjointly through the spool-hole and collar portions, as illustrated,which rod sliding in a bearing 28, upon the bottom of the clip H,extends rearwardly i11- ward a suitable distance. Adjacent to its innerend is a short pin 24, transversely entering the rod and having its endsprotruding a distance from its periphery.

Between the bearing 23, and the pin 24, is a strong coiled-spring 25,encircling the carrying rod, one end abutting against the aforesaidbearing and the opposite end against the pin 2t.

At a satisfactory distance rearward of the clip H, is secured the clipI'l', provided at its bottom with a hanger 26.

Extending from the perforated enlarged end of the rod .1, to theperforated hanger26 of the clip H, is a toggle-jointed foot-lever K,pivotally connected to the aforesaid parts, of such formation as toadmit of the ready working of the lever by the foot of the occupant ofthe vehicle.

It being apparent that varied forms of lever-mechanism, operated eitherby the foot of a person, or the hands, or by cords travel ing overpulleys connected to the inner clutchmember and leading to any desiredportion of the vehicle body, may be utilized for manipulating theclutch-mechanism per $6, I do not limit myself specifically to anyparticular form of clutch-operating mechanism, the form ofactuating-lever herein shown merely exemplifying one form out of manythat might and would accomplish the throwing outward and inward of themovable rear-member of my clutch proper, longitudinally with the vehicleaxle.

27, denotes a safety-stop upon the hitchingline L, at a suitabledistance from its point of attachment to the spool of the inner-memberof the clutch mechanism, said stop being formed by the tying of a knotin the line subsequent to the fastening of its rearward end to saidspool. Evidently, the stop 27, may be created by the securing to theline of a button or other enlargement, if deemed preferable. Thefunction of the said line-stop is to limit the amount of line that canbe wound upon the spool 6, whereby any clogging of the line thereupon,stopping required revolution of the said spool, is rendered impossible,the amount of line capable of being taken by the same being positivelyregulated;

By choice I utilize a hitching-line formed of flexible wire-rope ofmedium size, insuring as it does great strength embodied in a line ofcomparatively small thickness.

While preferably, as hereinbefore set forth, I attach my appliance to anend portion of the forward axle of a vehicle contiguous to the wheelthereon, it is very evident that, if deemed desirable or advantageous,it is susceptible of duplication, my device being secured to either endportion of the forward axle, or upon the other hand either singly or induplication to the hind axle of the vehicle, although it is clear as theresult of practical tests upon my part that, the employment of myattachment upon one extremity of the forward axle of a carriage or wagonis amply sufficient to insure all requisite action of the device.

Obviously, although I have not deemed it important or necessary toillustrate the shafts or pole of a vehicle and appurtenances requiredfor the connection of a horse or horses to the vehicle, it is evidentthat the hitchingline or cord forming a component feature of my deviceextends from the line-spool forwardly along or adjacent to the shafts orpole of the carriage or wagon a satisfactory distance and connecting atits end either direct or indirectly with the animals bits; which line,as is apparent, may be upheld on aplane horizontally with the pole orshafts by suitable pulleys or guides secured thereto, the line beingretained taut and all slackness thereof prevented by the employment ofastrong elastic cord or coiled spring rigidly secured by its forward endto the pole or shafts and at its rear non-attached end connected to theend of the hitching-line, whereat the customary auxiliary-lines leadingto the animals heads are fastened, whereby the main hitching line isinvariably retained taut whether in awound orunwound state in relationto the line-spool whereto its rear end is firmly attached.

The arrows (in full lines) shownon certain figures of the drawingsdenote the direction of revolution of the hub of the vehicle wheel andattached outer clutch member, and the direction of rotation of the spoolportion of the inner clutch-member, when the same is in engagement withand traveling rotatably therewith, while the arrows represented bydotted work illustrate the reverse or backward revolution of theaforesaid either when the inner clutch-member is thrown from engagementwith the outermember on the Wheel-hub and the hitching-line rapidlyunwinding from the line-spool, or when the vehicle-wheel is travelingbackward through the possible backing of the horse or horses attached tothe carriage or wagon.

The operation of my device is as follows! While the vehicle (carriage orwagon) is in motion the lever mechanism K stands in the ICC depressedposition shown in Fig. 1, the innerthe vehicle, which action necessarilythrows the clutch-members into gear through the movement of thecarrying-rod and connected inner clutch-member outward, (the spring 25coincidently being compressed,) bringing the dog 8 of the line-spoolinto positive engagement with a lug of the outer'clutch-member, wherebythe animal is securely hitched or checked from undesired forwardprogression.

If now the horse should attempt to keep on, the vehicle being in motion,or, on the other hand, attempt to start while the vehicle is stationarythrough prior stoppage of the horse by the reins, the revolution of theline-spool of the clutch mechanism will wind up a portion of thehitching line thereby tightening theconnected lines or straps leading tothe animals bits and compelling him to stop. Should the animal backwhile the clutch is in gear, no injury will result to the mechanism norwill the line-spool be disturbed or the wound-up line thereon,from thefact that the spring-actuated dog or pawl 8 will in such case ride overthe successive lugs of the outer clutch-member by reason of the beveledor inclined ends thereof presenting no barrier to the progress of thedog and whereby it readily passes over them. Thus it is readilyperceived that in the backward motion of the animal any slackening ofthe hitching-cord is thoroughly prevented by the reverse action of thespring-clutch mechanism.

Obviously, by my contrivance the occupant of a road-vehicle is enabledto hitch the horse in an instant from where he (or she) is sitting,alight from the vehicle, and unhitch upon returning by so operating bythe foot (or otherwise) the lever mechanism as to throw the clutch outof gear which action slackens the hitching-cord and connected lateralline or lines by the unwinding of the cable cord from the spool of theinner clutchmember of my device.

The function of the safety-finger E, of my appliance is, to act as adouble safety against any possible contact or impingement of the dog orpawl 8, of the inner clutch-member with the lugs of the outer-member onthe wheel hub. The action'of said finger rigidly connected to anadjacent axle clip or band, being to press by its end against thespringprovided stem of the aforesaid dog 8, when the inner clutch-memberis thrown rearward from its outer member, the pressure of the fingeroutwardly against the stem of the dog necessarily impelling the upperprotruding portion thereof inwardly, leaving the face of the spooldevoid of any protuberance and whereby there is no liability through theomission of a front or back washer in the Wheelhub, or possiblelooselongitudinal play of the hub of the wheel along the axle-spindle,of the inner clutch-member impinging with its outer-member, as isreadily apparent. Evidently, when the inner clutchmember is thrownoutward for engagement by its Spoolportion with its follow-member on thewheel hub, the pressure of the safety-finger is instantaueouslywithdrawn from the stems end incident to the outward movement of saidinner-member, the dog-actuating spring simul taneously bearing againstthe dogs stem throwing outward and yieldingly retainingin said positionthelug-engaging part of the dog. Although the cylindrical space 16,existent between the outer and inner-member of the clutch when thrownout of gear is, under ordinary conditions, amply sufficient to insurethe non-interference of the dog 8 of the innermember with the lugs ofthe outer member even though said dog normally protruded beyond the faceof the rotating-spool, the provision of the safety-finger E, whereby thedog is, in such position of the clutch-member retained wholly within itsrecess, avoids any contingency of undesirable interference with theclutch-member on the hub. The elongated perforation 22 through the spoolconjointly with the circular aperture 21 in the back of thespool-carrier case, allows free entrance of the safety-finger into theinner clutch-member; while the lateral space afforded by reason of theperforation 22 being elongated, admits of the safety-finger absolutelyclearing theperforation and rear face of the spool-body no matter howquickly the position of the spool is changed longitudinally.

The function of the spring-actuated dog 9 is, as hereinbefore stated, toact as a stop for retarding undesirable rotation of the linespool of theinner clutch-member. Such positive limitation of the spools revolutionis a desideratum whenever the inner cl ntch-mem her (the spool havingwound up the hitchingline to its full capacity) is thrown outof gearwith its companion-member on the wheel hub allowingthe wound extremityofthehitchingline to rapidly unwind as the horse moves forward uncheckedby the strain of the line upon his bits and thereby free to travel onward.

The dog 9, in. conjunction with the buffer 15 of the buffer-box 14accomplishes the required action and results as follows: The clutchpriorly having been thrown into gear for the stoppage or hitching of thehorse, and the hitching-line commencing to wind around the line-spool,.(see Fig. 11,) the line end in its circumferential progress speedilyencounters and passing over bears against the lat erally protruding pinp firmly attached to the dog 9, and adapted to move in the slot 2), of

the spool-body, and carrying the pin along to the inner end of said slotretains it there du ring the period the wound line is about the spool,and obviously thereby causing the normally projecting dog to lie whollywithin the recess or chamber 11, of the spool and absolutely out ofencounter with the buffer of the buffer-box, as clearly illustrated inFig. 12, and also in Fig. 11. Evidently, immediately following thethrowing apart of the clutchmembers, and the line rapidly unwinding fromthe line-spool, the coils of rope retain the dog 9, through inwardpressure upon its pin 19, within the spool cavity until the attachedrope is all unwound, whereupon the pressure against the pin of the dogbeing withdrawn, the weighty end of the pivoted dog necessarily dropsdownward a distance beyond the periphery of the spool and impingesagainst the buffer in the buffer-box located upon the bottom of thespool-holding case, thereby instantly preventing further rotation of thespool until the clutch members are again thrown into gear and the actionhereinbefore detailed repeated. The immense advantage and utility of theafore-described elements for the absolute stoppage of the spoolsrevolution when the wound line thereon is paid out, reside'sin the factthat, devoid of such provision the rotating spool through the momentumacquired by the sudden paying of the hitching-line would continue torevolve a certaindegree subsequent to the thorough unwinding of the linetherefrom, thus rendering twisting, abrupt bending, and consequentspeedy rupture of the wire-rope line adjacent to its point of attachmentto the spool not only possible but. extremely probable, as priorlydemonstrated to me by act- .ual tests upon my part.

presented by the buffer-plate of the bufferin the buffer-box to theimpinging dog 9, thoroughly controls the spool from further reverserotation and consequently preventing the travel of the firmly securedline-end rotarily upward, but on the contrary retaining it at a pointvertically central the inner-clutch and directly over the buffer-box,and Where by, the hitching-line having free exit outward through theopening 12 in the spool-case, andin non-contact with the upper edge ofsaid opening, any kinking, angular bending or rupture of the linethrough otherwise certain contact and pressure against the upperboundary edge of the opening is rendered impossible, as exemplified inthe drawings, and particularly so in Fig. 9.

My object in having the retarding medium (the buffer) elastic is, thatwhenever the depressed dog 9,,strikes against it, there will be noappreciable concussion or noise resultant-,and any injury to the dog orwearing of the cushion, (the impact-platet, beinginterposed,) impossibleby reason of the force of the blow by the striking dog. As the stop (orknot) 2-7, formed on the hitching-lineL, a predetermined distance fromits attached extremity Clearly, the barrier is larger than theline-opening 12, in the spoolin'closing case, it is apparent that saidlinestop impinging against the case side will prevent the admission ofan undesirable quantity of line into the case interior and about thespool and whereby all clogging is prevented. Obviously, the collar 5, oftheinner clutch-member interposed between the sectional spool-hub andthe rotatable line-spool, receives all the frictional wear that may beresultant from the spools revolution, and protecting the hub from allWear; which collar may, when needful, be replaced by another at aminimum expense.

The device being composed of parts readily detachable one from theother, it is evident that whenever desirable or expedient from anycause, any given part may readily be replaced by a corresponding partWithout difficulty. Also, the major portion of the spoolcarrying casebeing formed of an integral casting, great strength, durability andpower of resistance to strain are fully insured.

It is clearly observant that, the central square-hole of the hub-portionof the inner clutch-member is of just sufficient dimensions to permit ofthe hub of said member readily sliding longitudinally a requisitedistance upon the squared vehicle-axle, and is necessarily preventedfrom turning by reason of the vehicle-axle being angular incross-section and the opening in the spool-hub also of angular contour.

All the portions of my appliance are easily and readily erected inproper position, or detached therefrom when desired.

My manner of mounting the inner-member D, of the clutch-mechanism inplace upon the vehicle-axle is preferably as follows: Removing the Wheelfrom the axle-spindle, I slide the integral case 3, (devoid of itsattachable back plate 1),) along the spindle of the axle and also theaxle-shoulder, which it freely clears, until the proper location uponthe IIO square portion of the vehicle axle is reached,

whereupon I insert in place in the orifice in the back wall of the casethe attachable plate I), and next insert within said case the linespool6, followed by the interposition of the collar 5, between the segmentalhub 4, and the said spool, and then securing the screws 2', in place,the said inner-member is in operative position; the other portions of myappliance also being operatively disposed and connected as hereinbeforeset forth and illustrated in the drawings. As is thoroughly apparent,the cylindrical side of the case 3, serves as a protector to theinternal parts of the clutch-members, preventing as it does the ingressof mud, dirt, and also dust to any injurious degree within the interiorof the clutch, whereby effective and thorough operation of same might bemore or less interfered with; such cylindrical portion of the caseserving as a protector whether the clutch is in or out of gear, as mayreadily be perceived. The clutch mechanism being in gear, the pressureof the foot of the occupant of the vehicle upon the upwardly projectingangular arm of the lever mechanism will impel same to a depressedposition releasing the pressure against the coiled spring of thecarrying rod, whereby the spring expanding, the rod is carried inwardlyand the attached inner clutch-member therewith,thus throwing the clutchout of gear.

lVhile, by preference, I construct my appliance wholly or partially ofmalleable-iron castings, it is evident that wrought or castmetal of anydesired kind is correspondingly adapted for its construction.

By means of this simple and convenient attachment to road-vehicles thehorses may be easily, quickly and perfectly hitched without theemployment of common hitching devices, and also brought readily to astop when endeavoring to run away.

Other means than the hitching line can readily be devised to support andoperate the pawl 9 so that it will drop into position where it can beengaged by the barrier, and thereby stop the rotation of the line spoolthe instant the hitching line is disengaged from the latter, and in thefollowing claims in which the hitching line and pawl are named aselements I, therefore, do not wish to be understood as limiting myselfto the hitching line as the supporting and operating means for the pawlunless such function is specifically given to the hitching line in theclaims.

Having thus fully described my invention what I claim as new and desireto secure by Letters Patent is:

1. In a hitching and checking device, the combination of an outer clutchmember mounted upon and rotatable with the hub of a vehicle wheel, aninner clutch member sup ported upon the axle of the vehicle andlongitudinally movable thereon, said inner clutch member having anon-rotatable hub and a rotatable line spool, the hitching line engagingsaid line spool, a spring-actuated pawl 9, pivoted at one end within anopening in said line spool, a barrier adjacent to said line spool,

and means for so actuating said pawl thatits free end will drop out ofsaid opening into engagement with said barrier, whereby rotation oftheline spool may be prevented the instant the hitching line is unwoundfrom the line spool.

2. The combination, in a hitching and checking, device, of an outerclutch-member mounted upon and rotatable with the hub of a vehiclewheel, an inner clutchnnember supported upon the axle of the vehicle andlongitudinally movable thereon, means for forcing said clutch membersinto and out of gear with each other, said inner clutch member having anon-rotatable hub and a rotatable line-spool,

a hitching line engaging said line'spool, a barrier supported adjacentto said spool, and a spring-pressed pawl pivoted at one end within anopening in said spool and having at its opposite end a transverse pinreceived by a curvilinear slot in said spool, said pin being engaged bythe hitching line, as specified, whereby when said hitching line isunwound from said spool said pawl will be caused to drop into engagementwith said barrier and further rotation of the spool thereby prevented.

3. The combination of the clutch of a hitching and checking device,onemember of which is mounted upon and rotatable with a rotating part of avehicle, and a hitching line coiled around the other member of saidclutch, with a pawl pivoted at one end to said last-mentioned.clutch-member and having a transverse pin at its opposite end, said pinbeing engaged by said hitching line, and the pawl thereby normally heldin its innermost position, and a barrier adapted to be engaged by saidpawl when said line is disengaged from the latter, substantially asdescribed and for the purposes specified.

4. In a hitching and checking device, the inner and outer members of theclutch, said outer member being mounted upon and rotatable with the hubof the vehicle wheel, and said inner member being supported by the axleof the vehicle and longitudinally movable thereon, andhavinganon-rotatable hub, a rotatable line spool, and a casing securedto said hub, a hitching line having its ends passing through openings insaid casing, said hitching line being coiled around said linespool, apawl engaged and supported at its non-pivoted end by said hitching line,and a barrier supported by said case adjacent to said pawl and adaptedto be engaged by the pawl when the hitching lineis unwound from thespool. i i

5. In a hitching and checking device, the inner and outer members of theclutch, said outer member being mounted upon and rotatable with the hubof the vehicle Wheel,and said inner member being supported by the axleof the vehicle wheel and longitudinally movable thereon, and having anon-rotatable hub, a casing secured thereto and a line-spool mounted onsaid hub, in combination with a hitching line having its ends passingthrough openings in said casing, a pawl within an opening in saidline-spool, said pawl being pivoted at one end and having a projectionat its opposite end, said projection being engaged and the pawl normallyheld within said opening by said'hitching line, a butter plate supportedby said casing adjacent to said pawl, and an elastic backing for saidbuffer plate, all substantially as shown and described.

6. In a hitching and checking device, the combination of a hitching linean outer rotating clutch member mounted upon a rotatable part of avehicle, an inner longitudinallymovable clutch member, said inner memberhaving a rotatable line-spool formed with an opening, a pawl pivoted atone end within said opening, means for normally holding said pawl withinthe opening but permitting its free end to drop out of saidopeningwhenthe hitching line is disengaged from the line spool, and abarrier adjacent to said pawl and adapted to be engaged by the same whenits free end is out of said opening, substantially as described and forthe purposes specified.

7. A hitching and checking device, consisting of a hitching line anouter rotating clutch member mounted upon a rotatable part ofa vehiclean inner longitudinally movable clutch member, said inner clutch memberconsisting of a non-rotatable hub, a collar or bushing thereon, and arotatable line-spool upon said collar, said line-spool having anopening, a pawl pivoted at one end within said opening, means fornormally holding the pawl within the opening but permitting its free endto drop out of the same when the hitching line is disengaged from theline spool, and a barrier adjacent to said pawl and adapted to beengaged by the same when its free end is out of said opening, saidbarrier having an elastic backing, substantially as described and forthe purposes specified.

8. In a hitching and checking device, the outer and inner clutchmembers, said outer member beingmounted upon arotatable part of avehicleand said inner clutch member being-movable longitudinally and having anopening, and a spring dog pivoted within said opening and adapted toproject beyond the face of the inner clutch-member and engage the outerclutch-member, in combination with a stationary finger projecting intosaid inner clutch member in line with an end of said dog and adapted toengage the same and keep the dog within the opening in the inner clutchmember when the members of the clutch are out of engagement with eachother, and a hitching line engaging said inner clutch member.

9. The combination of the outer and inner members, of the clutch, saidouter member being mounted upon a rotatable part ofa Vehicle and saidinner member consisting of a case having an open outer end, the verticalwall of said case having an orifice, a plate closing said orifice, asegmental hub, said plate and the vertical wall of the case being formedto provide an opening coincident with that through the hub, for thepassage of the supporting means, a collar encircling said hub, arotatable line spool supported on said collar, and a hitching lineengaging said line spool.

10. The combination of the outer and inner members of the clutch, saidouter member being mounted upon a rotatable part of a vehicle and saidinner member consisting of a case having an open outer end, the verticalwall of said case having an orifice, a detachable plate closing saidorifice, and a segmental hub, the upper segment of which is formedintegral with said plate and the lower segment of which is formedintegral with said vertical wall of the case, said plate and thevertical wall of the case being also formed to provide an openingcoincident with that through the hub, for the passage of the supportingmeans, a collar encircling said hub, said collar being secured to saidhub and also to the vertical wall of the case, a rotatable line-spoolsupported on said collar, and a hitching line engaging said line spool.

11. In a hitching and checking device, the combination of the inner andouter clutch members, said outer member being mounted upon a rotatablepart of a vehicle, said inner clutch memberhavinga non-rotating hub, arotatable line-spool, and a case secured to said hub and projecting overand protecting said line spooland hub, said case havingan aperture 11,formed with a contracted end, and an opening12,andahitchingline passingthroughsaid aperture 11 to and around said line spool and thence throughsaid opening 12, said hitching line having an enlargement at one end toprevent said end from being drawn into said case through said aperture,all substantially as shown and described.

12. In a hitching and checking device, the combination of the inner andouter clutch members, said outer member being mounted upon a rotatablepart of a vehicle and said inner clutch member having a non-rotatinghub, a collar or bushing, encircling said hub and having a peripheralgroove at one end, a line spool having a flange received by said groovein the collar and a hitching line en- I gaging said line spool.

13. In a hitching and checking device, the combination of the inner andouter clutch members, said outer member being mounted upon a rotatablepart of a vehicle and said inner clutch-member having a non-rotatinghub, a cylindrical inclosing box or casing, to which said hub issecured, said casing being open atits outer end, a collar or bushingencircling said hub, said collar having a pcripheral groove at one end,a line spool having a flange received by said groove in the collar and ahitching line engaging said line spool.

14.. In a hitching-device comprising a hitching line outer and innerclutch-members and mechanism for impelling the inner member to and fromthe outer companion-member, said outer member being mounted upon arotatable part of a vehicle, an annular-shaped line-spool providedperipherally with a groove for the wound-up hitching line, and at a sidethereof with a recess wherein is pivotally secured a dog or pawlprovided with a projecting pin adapted to travel in a slot in thespool-body, a second dog or pawl pivotally secured in a recess enteringinto the flat face of the spoolbody, and an orifice or pocket alsoentering the spools face adapted to receive and retain the end of ahitching line extending therefrom through a contracted opening out intothe line-groove of the spool, said spool being adaptable for mountingupon or within the inner-member of the clutch, substantially asdescribed.

15. A hitchingand checkingdevice consisting of a hitching line an outerclutch-member comprising an annular plate having radial eqni-distantlugs abrupt at one end and beveled at the opposite, secured to the innerend of a Vehicle-wheel and an inner clutch-member comprising anon-rotary case or box upheld by a sectional non-rotating hub portion onthe axle of the vehicle contiguous to the outer member, a flangedstationary collar surrounding the hub, a rotatable line-spool encirclingthe collar and retained against 1ongitudinal displacementby thecircumferential flange of the collar fittingwithin a peripheral groovein the spool, a spring-actuated dog pivotally disposed within a recessentering the vertical face of the spool, a passage extending therefrombackward through the spool-body and back-wall of the case, a finger orrod connected with the Vehicle-axle projecting therein and adapted atcertain times to bear against the spring-provided extremity of the dog,a peripheral groove in the line-spool adapted to -receive th e woundportion of the hitching-line,

October, 1891. a,

LOUIS HOUSE. [L. s.] Witnesses:

WM. E. RAYMOND, E. KANKEMOELLER,

